# US 8,541,094 B2 · Temperature controlled variable reflectivity coatings

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- Number: US 8,541,094 B2
- Document ID: US8541094B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/130,818
- Filed: 2011-03-01
- Published: 2012-09-06
- Granted: 2013-09-24
- Earliest claimed: 2011-03-01
- Assignees: Empire Technology Development LLC
- Applicants: Seth Miller
- Inventors: Seth Miller
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8541094B2

## CPC

- E04B 1/74: Heat, sound or noise insulation, absorption, or reflection (forms of, or arrangements in, rooms for influencing or directing sound E04B1/99); Other building methods affording favourable thermal or acoustical conditions, e.g. accumulating of heat within walls (fire protection E04B1/94; elements chiefly adapted for structural purposes E04C1/00 - E04C3/00; chiefly adapted for surface coverings E04F13/00; as underlayers for floor coverings E04F15/18; closures for wall or like openings E06B)
- B05D 5/063: {Reflective effect (B05D5/067 takes precedence)}
- B05D 7/54: {No clear coat specified}
- E04D 13/00: Special arrangements or devices in connection with roof coverings; {Protection against birds;} Roof drainage {; Sky-lights} (ventilation tiles E04D1/30; ventilation slabs E04D3/40; internal channels E04F17/00)
- G02B 5/0226: {having particles on the surface}
- G02B 7/008: {with means for compensating for changes in temperature or for controlling the temperature; thermal stabilisation}
- B05D 1/02: performed by spraying
- B05D 1/28: performed by transfer from the surfaces of elements carrying the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. brushes, pads, rollers
- Y10T 29/49885: with coating before or during assembling
- Y10T 428/24802: Discontinuous or differential coating, impregnation or bond [e.g., artwork, printing, retouched photograph, etc.]
- Y10T 428/25: Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component and including a second component containing structurally defined particles
- Y10T 428/254: Polymeric or resinous material
- Y10T 428/26: Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component, the element or component having a specified physical dimension
- Y10T 428/2984: Microcapsule with fluid core [includes liposome]
- E04B: GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS (border constructions of opening in walls, floors or ceilings E06B1/00; {electromagnetic shielding H05K9/0001})
- B05D: PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL (conveying articles or workpieces through baths of liquid B65G, e.g. B65G49/02)
- E04D: ROOF COVERINGS; SKY-LIGHTS; GUTTERS; ROOF-WORKING TOOLS (coverings of outer walls by plaster or other porous material E04F13/00)
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

Coatings configured to change between a relatively higher reflectivity state and a relatively lower reflectivity state depending at least partially upon temperature are generally disclosed. Some example coatings may include a selectively reflective layer including a plurality of microcapsules, which may include an ionic liquid and/or a surfactant within a shell. The microcapsules may have a relatively higher reflectively when at temperatures above a cloud transition temperature and/or a relatively lower reflectivity when at temperatures below the cloud transition temperature. When at temperatures above the cloud transition temperature, the selectively reflective layer may reflect a first fraction of the incident light. When at temperatures below the cloud transition temperature, the selectively reflective layer may reflect a second fraction of the incident light. The first fraction of the incident light may be greater than the second fraction of the incident light.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A coated substrate comprising a substrate and a coating on the substrate, the coating being configured to change between a relatively higher reflectivity state and a relatively lower reflectivity state depending at least partially upon a temperature of at least a portion of the coating, the coating comprising:
a selectively reflective layer comprising a plurality of microcapsules, the plurality of microcapsules comprising an ionic liquid and a surfactant within a shell, the plurality of microcapsules having a relatively higher reflectively when at temperatures above a cloud transition temperature and a relatively lower reflectivity when at temperatures below the cloud transition temperature;
wherein, when at temperatures above the cloud transition temperature, the selectively reflective layer reflects a first fraction of incident light; and
wherein, when at temperatures below the cloud transition temperature, the selectively reflective layer reflects a second fraction of the incident light, the first fraction of the incident light being greater than the second fraction of the incident light.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The coated substrate of claim 1, wherein the selectively reflective layer can be disposed between a source of the incident light and a light-absorbent surface of a base layer.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The coated substrate of claim 2, wherein the selectively reflective layer is disposed on the light-absorbent surface of the base layer.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The coated substrate of claim 2, wherein the light-absorbent surface of the base layer is dark in color.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The coated substrate of claim 1, wherein the selectively reflective layer includes a transparent binder.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The coated substrate of claim 1, wherein the selectively reflective layer is about 100 μm to about 5 mm in thickness.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The coated substrate of claim 1, wherein the selectively reflective layer is about 200 μm to about 2 mm in thickness.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The coated substrate of claim 1, wherein the plurality of microcapsules are about 100 μn to about 2 mm in size.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The coated substrate of claim 1, wherein the plurality of microcapsules are about 100 μm to about 200 μm in size.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The coated substrate of claim 1, wherein, when at temperatures above the cloud transition temperature, the selectively reflective layer reflects at least about 80% of the incident light.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The coated substrate of claim 1, wherein, when at temperatures below the cloud transition temperature, the selectively reflective layer reflects less than about 20% of the incident light.